The global smartphone market has long been dominated by two major players: Samsung and Apple. While Apple has a slight lead with a 21% market share, Samsung isn’t far behind at 22%, according to Counterpoint Research. To gain an advantage and capture more market share, Samsung is relying entirely on its flip smartphones.
At its recent Unpacked event in South Korea, Samsung unveiled its new flagship devices, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5. These foldable devices feature two unique designs: one that folds like a book and the other Folds like a folding phone. These devices represent Samsung’s fifth generation of foldable devices and show the future of smartphones.
The introduction of flip phones has revitalized the smartphone market and brought it a new level of excitement and innovation. Ramon Llamas, research director at IDC, explains that the smartphone market is mainly dominated by rectangular devices, with an emphasis on processor speed and camera features. Folding models, on the other hand, offer something different and visually striking.
Samsung faces the challenge of winning over iPhone users. Apple has strong control over its users through exclusive applications, accessories and services. One of Apple’s most popular features is iMessage, which offers iPhone users excellent text quality. However, Samsung’s flips could tempt those who are hesitant or less committed to the Apple ecosystem to make the switch. Even Samsung has released ads urging iPhone users to switch.
It’s worth noting that Apple could thwart Samsung’s plans by launching its own foldable device, although there is no confirmation of such a product yet. IDC’s Llamas believes Apple is watching the flip market and will act at the right time.
While the market for flip phones is still relatively small compared to the entire smartphone market, Samsung is in a pioneering role. The success of your changes depends on whether you can convince iPhone users to switch. As competition continues to evolve, only time will tell if iPhone users are ready to take the plunge into the world of flip smartphones.
